Any building, be it commercial, residential, or a public structure, requires specialised installation of cable networks, power supply, water transportation, ventilation ducts, and pipes. But are these systems protected from an unexpected fire accident? A majority of these building elements are hidden within walls, ceilings, or floors, so one might overlook their fire resistance. However, if not handled responsibly, in the event of a fire, the penetration systems can trigger the spread of smoke and fire across the building. 


How Can Penetration Seals Enhance Fire Protection?

Penetration sealing has emerged as an essential requirement of fire safety in Australia. These systems provide passive fire protection by preventing the passage of toxic gases, fire, and smoke through the gaps around partitions, floors, or walls. 


To provide all-around protection, a combination of fire penetration products are installed, including fire collars, fire barriers, fire compounds, fire-rated boards, or pipe wraps. 


If the penetration area is less, sealants are used to prevent the fire spread. They are designed for sealing small openings of about 2cm to 6cm in diameter, ensuring the fire cannot move from one particular compartment to the other. Like other passive fire products, penetration seals too have specified fire ratings. 


You can find different types of sealants in Australia, such as:


1. Intumescent Firestop Sealant 

The intumescent fire-rated sealant is for plastic materials or pipes penetrating through floors and walls. When exposed to excessive heat, the sealant swells (increase in volume and decrease in density), thus cutting space between the surrounding wall slab and the penetrant. 


2. Silicone Firestop Sealant 

Silicone sealants are a highly versatile solution that maintains stability in extremely low and high temperatures. This penetration seal remains impervious to chemicals, weathering, and moisture. However, unlike other sealants, silicone does require time for curing. 


3. Ablative Firestop Sealant 

The ablative sealants absorb energy from the fire to keep the elements underneath protected. This heat energy is later transformed and released as gas that chars to create effective insulation. 


Fire safety is an integral aspect of your building. To ensure that the highest standards are met, hire a reputable contractor for the installation of the best, most robust and most importantly adaptable fire sealants that will offer additional protection cost-effectively.